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@ Halal | May-June . 2021

| @ Halal says ... |

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MDEC and CIMB Islamic sign MoU It will provide RM25m to scale AgTech pilot

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Forward momentum amidst challenges Malaysia records increase of RM0.2 billion in domestic direct investment in 2020

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Erdoğan pushes for Islamic ‘ megabank ’ Idea based on online platform can meet liquidity needs within D-8 group

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IDB pledges RM825.4m for education campaign Aims to strengthen education systems in lower-income countries

Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates and Qatar ranked as the top three countries by spending .

However , due to the devastating impact of the Covid- 19 pandemic , the figure fell by about 70 per cent to US $ 58 billion in 2020 .

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( UNWTO ) estimated the industry lost US $ 320 billion during the first five months of 2020 . The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD ) indicated US $ 2.2 trillion in losses for the industry in 2020 .

We are now into the 2nd quarter of 2021 . What does the future hold for Muslim-friendly tourism ?

Admittedly , no one will be willing to hazard a guess . The uncertainties are just too many and too varied . Malaysia ’ s rapidly rising number of cases afford no comfort . It is a slippery slope .

But planning is still essential . In steps the Islamic Tourism Centre ( ITC ), which has proven itself a proactive unit under Malaysia ’ s Ministry of Tourism .

Recognising the gates of tourism will have to open eventually , ITC sat at the drawing board to plan for the future .

Muslim-friendly tourism adheres to Islamic values . In Muslim-friendly hospitality , all product development and marketing efforts are designed for and directed at Muslims .

Muslim-friendly hospitality services are the new fastdeveloping tourism products in the Muslim-friendly tourist industry .

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a significant challenge worldwide .

But ITC proved equal to the task . It has left no stone unturned to ensure when the time arrived , they would be there to harvest the fruits of their labour – the expected influx of Muslim travellers .

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Alliance Islamic Bank targets RM100mil financing Unique value proposition that will help businesses be successful in the halal market

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Evolving into a hybrid showcase World ’ s largest and most comprehensive halal showcase primed to host halal exporters and buyers across the halal ecosystem

p10-12 COVER STORY Aiming to build resilience ITC committed to good business practices among industry partners

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Muslim-friendly market is the next China market Muslim travel research expert certain Muslim market will blossom into the next ‘ China market ’

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Revamp the local tourism campaigns Pushing on campaigns and activities locally may help to slowly rebuild the Muslim travel market